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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies drag an eight-game losing streak into Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night as they open a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.

This losing streak has been ugly. The Phillies have been outscored 52-14 during it and rock bottom (one has to hope) had to come during the 6th inning on Sunday in Detroit when the Phillies allowed eight runs on just two hits. Three walks and three errors in the frame opened the floodgates to absurdity.

The Phillies are now 49-56 and they have faded back to 11 1/2 games off the pace of first-place Atlanta in the National League East. They also are now 9 1/2 games back in the wildcard race.

John Lannan is slated to make the start for the Phillies. The left-hander is 2-4 this season with a 4.13 ERA. In his career against the Giants, he is 0-1 in three starts, but sports a fine ERA of 1.74. His mound opponent will be veteran left-hander Barry Zito. He is 4-7 this season with a 4.92 ERA, but he has really struggled as of late, 0-4 in his last 9 starts with a 6.35 ERA.

This is the second series between these two teams this season. The Phillies won two out of three in the first, out in San Francisco in early May.

KYW’s Matt Leon spoke with Corey Seidman of PhilliesNation to get some insight into the Phils recent struggles and what the trade possibilities for the team could be as the deadline approaches.